Randy posted yesterday about US people needing passports to attend her Symposium. And, while the rules are changing, passports will not be required in June of 2006. So, Randy asked me to post the following information. The new requirement does not take effect until Dec. 31, 2006 - more then a few months after the Symposium. And then, that is only if you are flying or traveling by boat between the countries. For driving, the rule does not take effect until Dec. 31, 2007. Here are some links to US State Department webpages with more information on the rule change. http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2224.html http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2225.html http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2005/44228.htm When the rule does take effect, the passport will be required only when returning to the US. As far as I know, Canada does not plan on requiring passports for US residents to go to Canada. Also, my own experience with getting a passport is that there is not a long time between when you submit your application and when you receive the passport. What can take a long time is getting the necessary documentation to apply. To apply, you are asked for a certified birth certificate, which you have to get from the local authorities where you were born. A certified birth certificate has a registrar's raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal, registrar's signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office, which must be within 1 year of your birth. There are other ways of proving your citizenship, but the certified birth certificate is the one most often used. I have included a link here with information on obtaining a passport, for anyone who is interested. http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html I have heard that some airlines are already asking for passports for people traveling from Canada to the US, but they can not actually require it of US residents yet. Until Dec. 2006, all you need is a valid picture ID and proof of residence. So, a valid US driver's license will work. Some people also carry their birth registration form, as further proof of US citizenship. For anyone flying to Toronto for the Symposium, the best thing to do is to ask the airline what they require when you book your flight. With rules concerning entering the US from other countries being tightened, it is probably a good idea for everyone to look into getting a passport. The current cost is $97.00, which includes the application fee, a security surcharge and the execution fee. However, I would not be at all surprised if the fees do not go up in the next year or 2. I have found that having a passport can be very useful, as it also serves as a form of identification. -- Danee International Ferret Congress Health Issues Coordinator http://ferretcongress.org ADV - If your ferret hasn't been tested, you don't know! For more information visit: http://www.ferretadv.com You can help fight ADV! Visit: http://help4adv.terrabox.com/ [Posted in FML issue 4872]